Police operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command have rescued five kidnapped residents of Paze in the Byazhin community of Bwari Area Council, Abuja.
The victims were freed during a clearance operation conducted on Tuesday by police operatives in collaboration with vigilantes and local hunters.
In a statement on Wednesday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said two suspected kidnappers were killed during the operation, while two others were arrested.
According to her, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Sanusi, personally led the operation alongside personnel of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Police Intelligence Response Team, and Kubwa Area Command, supported by local security volunteers.
She said the operation was launched following recent kidnapping incidents in the Paze community.
“On June 9, 2026, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the joint security team launched an intensive search, clearance, and rescue operation across the Paze and Byazhin communities,” she said.
Adeh added that the security team engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, resulting in the neutralisation of two suspects and the arrest of two others identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman, while other gang members escaped with gunshot injuries.
She confirmed that two AK-47 rifles with magazines were recovered from the suspects.
The police spokesperson also called on healthcare facilities and members of the public to report any individuals presenting gunshot wounds or seeking treatment under suspicious circumstances.
“The sustained pressure mounted on the criminal elements forced them to abandon five hostages, who were promptly rescued unharmed,” she said.
Adeh added that the rescued victims were taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention and efforts were ongoing to reunite them with their families.
She said search operations were continuing across surrounding communities to track down fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network.
The Commissioner of Police commended the operatives and local security volunteers for their bravery and professionalism, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in the FCT.
The attack comes days after armed men reportedly kidnapped four residents and killed a vigilante member in the same Byazhin area of Kubwa, Bwari Area Council.
